Interviews and Interrogations

1. Interviews and Interrogations

2. Sources of Information • These include: • Investigative Reports • Forensic Examiner’s files • Modus Operandi files • Arrest Records • Interviews and Interrogations • Interview and Interrogations provide the most data. They can be distinguished as follows; • Interviews : A conversation with a purpose • Interrogations: Questioning persons suspected of being involved in a crime.

3. Interviewing Tips • Establish Rapport: Rapport is a relationships that develops between an interviewer and the person being interviewed. • Aware Hearing: Focus your listening and hear more than the words that are spoken. Look at the person’s body language and do not interrupt to insert your own opinions.

4. Interviewing Order • Victims or complainants • Eyewitnesses • Informants and others with relevant information • Suspects

5. Congnitive Interview • Reconstruct the circumstances: Ask the subject to try to reconstruct the incident and focus it in the mind’s eye. • Report all Information: Have the subject focus on the event, do not edit or omit anything. • Recall events in a different order: Ask the subject to recall the events out of order. (Reverse, scariest, etc) • Change perspectives: Have the subject recall the events from the eyes of someone else who was present.

6. Basic Rules for Interviewing Witnesses • Plan ahead. • Arrange for privacy • Identify yourself properly • Assemble case facts in advance • Have direction • Be timely • Avoid interruptions • Be a good listener • Adjust language pace and demeanor • Maintain rapport

7. 10 Types of Witnesses • Willing: They generally cooperate with police and furnish all information on a given event. • Eyewitnesses: They are the most important witnesses. Allow them to state the event in their own words. • Reluctant: Generally hostile toward police and may have a relationship with the suspect. They are the most difficult for the interviewer.

8. 10 Types of Witnesses 4) Silent or disinterested: They offer no information or assistance to the investigator. They do not want to be involved. 5) Unreliable: They may be mentally deficient, publicity seeker, children, or pathological liars. Establish reliability by comparing to the eyewitnesses. 6) Frightened: They fear the suspect will seek revenge on the witness if they cooperate.

9. 10 Types of Witnesses 7) Biased: They are willing to give information, however it may be prejudices toward the suspect or victim. 8) Hostile: They will not provide any information, antagonistic, and resist any form of questioning. 9) Timid: Self conscious, shy, lack self confidence.

10. 10 Types of Witnesses 10) Deceitful: Willingly provide inaccurate information. The interviewer should remind the witness of the consequences of purjery.

11. Interrogation The purpose of an interrogation is to obtain information about a criminal event. The goals may be: • Learn the truth • Obtain a confession • Obtain names of accomplices • Eliminate suspects • Gain additional facts • Identify new leads

12. Miranda Warnings The Miranda Warnings were designed to prevent self incrimination. They consist of 4 sections: • You have the right to remain silent. You are not required to make any statement or answer any questions. Anything you say will be taken down and can be used against you later in a court of law. • You have the right to speak with an attorney. You may consult with an attorney or have one present with you during any questioning.

13. Miranda Warnings 3) If you cannot afford an attorney, one can be appointed for you. If you want to have an attorney present during questioning, one will be provided by the court at no charge. 4) You retain the right to counsel, even if you speakwith the police. If you want to answer questions now, without and attorney present, you still retain the right to stop answering questions at any time.